Planter



a sheets sneet 1. J. KELLY- PLANTBR.

(No Model.)

Patented-Mar. 15, 1892.

CE: i 4% WITNESSES: A. f. IMM- ATTOR/VEY5 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.) I I 0 J. KELLY.

PLANTBR.

No. 470,686. Patented Mar. 15,1892,

WITNESSES: lA/I/E/Wbl? z. A MM- M y ATTORNEYS 3 S-heetS-Sheet JQKEL'LY.

(No Model.)

PLANTER.

Patented M31215,

INVE/VTUR ATTORNEYS TERS cm, mc-roumov, wAsnmc-Ycm n c PATENT FFICE.

JOHN KELLY, OF TROY, OHIO.

PLANTERL SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 470,686, dated March 15, 1892. Application filedFebruary 25, 1891. $eria1 No. 382,738- (No model.)

To all whom ifmay concern/.-

Be it known that I, JOHN KELLY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Troy, in the county of Miami and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Planters, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in corn-planters; and the object of my invention is to provide novel constructions of thecornreceiving boxes and dropping mechanism, whereby the same may be opened without removing the grain therein to examine or change the dropping-plates or other mechanism.

A further object of my invention is to provide novel constructions in connection with the dropping mechanism to bring the hills dropped thereby in proper check.

My invention consists in the various constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and pointed outin the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the front portion of a planter embodying my invention. Fig. 1 is a detail of same. Fig. 2 is a partial rear View of the corn-receiving hopper, a portion thereof beingbroken away to show the fastening devices. Fig.3 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the check-rower acting in connection with the dropping mechanism. Fig. ,4: is

a sectional elevation, the section being taken transversely through the hopper and the droppingmechanism. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are details of the check-rower dropping mechanism. Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively a rear and bottom plan view, partly in section, of the planting-shoe, showing the manner of ad usting the same for planting rows of different w1dths.

' Like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference throughout the several vlews.

In the said drawings, A A representthe frame of a planter; B, the corn-receivingbox or hopper; O, the planting-shoe, and C a conduit through which the grain falls from the hopper to the shoe. The corn-boxes B are each hinged at a to the main frame and have therein a bottom 13', with suitable openings therein to permit the corn to pass Into the dropping plate or disk B which is adapted to revolve under the bottom or partition B in the usual manner. Immediately below the dropping-plate B and supporting the same is a hinged intermediate plate D, also hinged or pivoted at a, preferably on the same rod which forms the pivots or hinges for the hopper B. This plate D is provided with a projecting stud b, on which the droppingplate B revolves, and is also provided with a suitable discharge-opening I), through which the corn or other grain is discharged when the dropping plate B and the respective openings 0 come opposite the discharge-opening b. The hinged plate D is normally connected to the box E by a spring-catch d, connected to the inside of the hopper or box and projecting down through a small slotted opening in the bottom B and provided with a hook-shaped end engaging the plate D. The hinged box B and plate D are thus held firmly together, and the combined parts are held in their normal positions on the frame A'by a pivoted cam-latch e, pivoted to the outside of the box B and adapted to engage a projection e on the frame A. Means are provided for holding the lid of the box B securely in place on the top of said box. It will be seen now that by moving the pivoted latch 6 so as to disengage the projection e the box B and plate D may be swung back on the hinges ato the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4=Witl1- out removing the grain therein, the droppingplate still remaining in its normal position between the hinged plate D and the bottom B of the hopper. By disengaging the springcatch (1 the plate D may be swung away from the bottom of the hopper, thus exposing the dropping-plate and permitting the same to be examined or removed or changed, as desired, after which the parts maybe returned to their normal positions and locked together, asbefore.

i The dropping-plate B is provided on its periphery with a series of gear-teeth f, en gaging with a beveled gear f on a revolving shaft f which passes transversely across the machine under the respective cornboxes. This shaft f is provided at each end and at the respective sides of the frame A A with a ratchet-wheel E and E, the ratchet-teeth of which extend in opposite directions. The ratchet E is preferably made smaller than E,

IOC

and'is embraced and partly surrounded by a bifurcated supporting-ring E in which is pivoted at g an engaging pawl g, connected at its outer end, as shown at g to a reciprocating bar 9 having a series of openings 9 The inner end g of the pawl g is adapted to engage with the respective teeth or notches in the ratchet-wheel E, a pivoted pawl E piv oted at h to the main frame, being adapted to engage with the teeth or notches of the ratchet-wheel E. The supporting-ring E is adapted to be oscillated on the shaft f by the reciprocating movement of the bar 9 and thus cause the shaft f to revolve a portion of a revolution. A projecting lug h on the side of the supporting-frame E is adapted in the normal position of the frame E to engage under and raise the pawl E as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 7. As the supportingframe E is moved by the reciprocating bar 9 the lug or projection 7L releases the pawl E and permits it to drop in the notches of the ratchet-wheel E, and thus form a stop for the shaft f when it has revolved a portion of a revolution corresponding to the nu mber of notches in said ratchet-wheel.

The reciprocating bar 9 is pivoted at its other end to a bifurcated operating-lever F, pivoted at t' to the main frame and adapted to be engaged by a check-wire F. It will be understood that as the machine is drawn forward the check-wire engages with the lever F at intervals, and thus vibrates said lever, the movement of which is transferred or tran smi-tted to the reciprocating frame E and the pivoted pawl g through the connecting-bar g The operating lever or fork F is pivoted to an auxiliary frame L, which also carries the supporting-pulleys for the check-wire and the discharge mechanism hereinafter referred to. The auxiliary frame L is connected to the main frame by bolts 19 p, which pass through slotted openings 19 p in the auxiliary frame L, as shown in Fig. 1. By moving the auxiliary frame longitudinally ontlie main frame and adjusting the connection between the longitudinal bar g and the supporting-frame by changing the pivot g to the different holes g the movement of the dropping-plate may be adjusted to correspond to the speed of the machine, and thus bring the hills in proper check.

The check-wire F passes over suitable-supporting pulleys or sheaves j and j, supported in suitable bearings on the main frame in a well-known manner. To provide for discharging the wire at the end of each row,I provide a pivoted shaft G, supported at each end in suitable bearings preferably an open or bifurcated bearing, having a retaining-pin k for convenience and simplicity in assembling the parts. This shaft G has projecting arms or fingers l and Z, one above and one below the check-wire F and on opposite sides of the supporting pulley or sheave j. It pulley 9' arranged above and in close proxand 70, one of which is also carries a smaller wheel or imity to the wheel or pulley j, and thus remain frame and hold the shaft in its normal position. A suitable connection is made from the outer end of the latch 70 to within convenient reach of the driver, the outer end of said latch being extended in the nature of a bell-crank to form a lever, which as the latch is disengaged turns the shaft G in its bearings, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3, causing the finger Z to engage the wire and lift it from the supporting wheel or pulley j and the operating-lever F, the retaining sheave or pulley 3' being at the same time turned back to permit the check-wire to escape from the supporting-pulleys.

In order to provide for releasing the corn at a point as near the ground as possible, so that when finally released it will have but a short distance to drop, I provide in the conduit G a vibrating valve H, the lower end of which is adapted to contact alternately with the respective sides of the conduit, as indicated in Fig. 5, and thus retain the corn dropped into the conduit between the lower end of said valve and the side of the conduit. A vibrating movement is imparted to said valve by a cam H on the shaft fiwhich-cam is preferably formed integral with the gear f, which drives the dropping-plate E the cam H being provided with a camway or groove m, the conformation of which is such that a vibratory movement of the valve is produced at each stroke of the operating-lever F. Each hill of corn, therefore, dropped through the dropping-plate is retained in the conduit until another hill is dropped into said conduit, when the first hill is released and falls through the shoe 0 To provide for adjusting the planter to plant different widths, I form the upper connecting portion of the shoe 0 with aseries of openings at and n,as shown in Fig.11,adapted to receive fastening-bolts a 07. which extend through said parts and the frame A A.

In order to provide for the proper movement of the valve H without changing the location of the cam H,I provide in the conduit 0 a series of openings m adapted to receive the pivot m of the valve, and thus change the pivotal center of said valve, so as to cause it to operate properly in connection with the cam H to accomplish its function in different positions of adjustment of the shoe on the dropped or planted in each row to check with the other rows. The arrangement of the hinged intermediate plate, in connection with the dropping-plate and the fastening devices, as described, make it possible to examine, change, or clean the dropping-plate at any time Without removing the corn from the boxes or interfering with the operating mechanism.

It is obvious that the constructions may be modified without departing from the spirit of my invention. I do not therefore limit myself to the exact constructions described; but

I claim 1. The combination, with a main frame and a grain-receptacle hinged thereto, and a detachable hook connected to said grain-receptacle and adapted to engage a lug or projec: tionon said frame, of an intermediate hinged plate between said receptacle and frame, the hinges of which are in line with the hinges between the frame and receptacle, and a detachable fastening device between said receptacle and plate independent of the fastening-hook between said receptacle and frame, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with a main frame, a

hinged grain-receptacle, and a hinged intermediate plate between said grain-receptacle and frame, of a spring-catch on said receptacle adapted to engage with said plate, and a detachable hook or latch connecting said receptacle to the frame below said plate, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with a grain-receptacle and a dropping-plate therein, of a revolving shaft connected to and operating said dropping-plate, a cam on said shaft, a conduit below said plate having a valve engaging said cam, means for laterally adjusting said conduit, and means, as described, for changing the pivotal point of said valve, substantially as specified.

4. In a planter, the combination, with a main frame, of an auxiliarysupporting-frame adj ustably secured to said main frame, a pivoted operating-lever on said auxiliary frame, a revolving shaft. having oppositely-arranged to, of a pivoted operating-lever on said movable frame, projecting bearings on said frame supporting a revolving shaft having I fingers extending at different angles therefrom, guiding-pulleys on said frame at the front and rear of said lever, andacurved bellcrank latch pivoted to said shaft and adapted to engage with a cam projection on said frame, so that a movement of said latch will release said frame and cause said shaft to revolve.

,6. The combination, with an auxiliary movable frame having an operating-lever pivoted thereto and a guiding-pulley in the front and rear of said lever, of upwardly-extending bearings on said frame, one of said bearings being formed open, as described, a shaft in said bearings having projecting fingers, and a pivoted bell-crank latch on said shaft adapted to projecting engage with the projection on said frame, substantially as specified.

7. The combination, with a movable auxiliary frame, an operating-lever pivoted thereto, an adjustable arm on said frame, and a spring from said arm to said lever, of a revolving shaft having a ratchet-wheel, and a twopart pivoted pawl adapted to engage with said ratchet, an adjustable link from said operating-lever to said two-part pawl, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 17th dayof February, A. D. 1891.

JOHN KELLY. Witnesses:

DAVIS BAIRD, A. T. JAQUES. 

